Cycling: Teams urge riders to accept DNA tests

PARIS - The professional cycling teams have agreed to ask riders to accept DNA tests to help fight against doping in the sport.

"We will ask the riders to give authorization to the International Cycling Union (UCI) to use their DNA for testing purposes," International Association of Professional Cycling Teams (AIGCP) vice president Roger Legeay told reporters after a meeting with UCI president Pat McQuaid in Paris.

"That will have to be done before December 1," he added. "We had decided previously to include a clause about DNA tests in all professional contracts".

DNA tests are designed to ensure riders are not using blood doping or transfusions to boost performance.

Cycling has been marred by doping for years. This year's Tour de France winner American Floyd Landis tested positive for the male hormone testosterone on his way to victory.

Landis has repeatedly denied taking performance enhancing drug and will make his case at an American Arbitration Association hearing early next year. He will be stripped of his title and banned for two years if his appeal fails.

Several leading riders, including 1997 Tour winner Jan Ullrich and this year's Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso, were also withdrawn on the eve of the race after they were linked to an anti-doping investigation in Spain.

Jan Ullrich is not implicated in the Spanish investigation into doping in sport, news agency Europa Press reported today.

Europa Press said it had had access to the report issued by the investigating judge of court number 31 in Madrid that said the German cyclist would have "no measures taken against him".

It went on to say this report would be forwarded to cycling's governing body the UCI.

- REUTERS